Paintballer, many times there is no copper pipe at the Crab Cooker source. If the pipe is not there I still use the water by leaning my container over letting the hot water shooting out of the granite fill it. You are able to get this water coming from a pure source before it flows over any external surfaces were it could pick up something that could make you ill. I have measured the hot water at this source on many occasions at 114 degrees so I'd say its not hot enough to melt any containers you were to put it in. The hottest source at DCHS is the main one that feeds the Aniversary Pool, Womb and Serenity Pools. This source starts up next to the PCT and I've measured it at 116 degrees. I only trust getting water from the Crab Cooker source since it shoots up in the air where it exits the granite. In the past there have been persons that posted here at the DCHS Forum that tested this water and said it had nothing that would cause problems for drinking. All you really need is enough water to get you to the springs, then you can use this source for the rest of your water needs.